This year Ive read two fascinating and very different books about Jesus.

. The first is called Imaginary Jesus. Author, Matt Mikalatos, describes in a hilarious narrative what it has been like for him to look for the real Jesus. Not the versions of Jesus we make up in our headhe details his search for the real Jesus and the many imposters he finds along the way He works his way through a version of Jesus who looks a little like a hippie its all about love, he says. A version of Jesus who would fit in well in Portland who likes to garden and spend time outside. Then of course theres hipster Jesus who sits at coffee shops, sipping his latte, talking in hushed tones and listening to Passion Pit. Even a version of the historical Jesus who has dust all over his sandals. Every version of Jesus you can imagine. And finally, having disposed of the imposters his hilarious search leads him to knowing Jesus the real Jesus better. He is able to look past the Jesus that he has created in his own image.

The second book is Zealot. That book made famous in the news because its author, Reza Aslan, is a Muslim a scholar, and a Muslim. You might remember that awkward Fox interview where the anchor suggested it was ludicrous for a Muslim to write a book about Jesus Christ.

[*Shameless plug:* Alan will be responding to this book in a few weeks and well be using it as our first Young Adult book this fall.] Its a fascinating read now surrounded with controversy but a book that also hunts for the real Jesus. Historically, factually.

As you know much ink has been spilled across the centuries trying to outline and profile the real Jesus both by those who believe they have found him undeniably and by those who dont know Every author you ask will have their own evidence and profile of the real Jesus Even denominations disagree. We have created for ourselves personal versions of Jesus. So how do we find the real one and how do we know him when we see him?

In the Gospel today, Jesus continues to make his way back to Jerusalem. And hes being followed and accompanied by great crowds of people. People who call themselves followers. And he tells them these cautionary talesto illustrate to them how costly it is to truly follow him The trouble was they didnt really know himand many of them followed him because of who they wanted him to be without realizing who he was and the real demands he would make of them.
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Hes not a hippie, a comedian, a drummer, or a pundit. He has no need of groupies. He is the Christ. And following him is harder than it looks.

The word disciple in Greek is a word we use a lot in English. But it doesnt indicate much meaning does it? We tend to just use it as an identifier to talk about the 12-or other early disciples of the Church. The word itself literally translated, refers to a pupil, a learner someone associated with the beliefs and practices of the Teacher. Someone dedicated to the mission of the Master It implies a process an order and a desire to learn from and be like the Master.

Walking the path of faith involves this quest after a relationship with the real Jesus. Not just who we want him to be but who he is and was and will be. And the most fool-proof way to find him? Well thats to follow him. To walk the path. To practice putting your feet in the right place To use the clues we havethe more indisputable clues left for us by scripture and traditionto use them as guides for our feet and heart as we try to follow To be a disciple is to follow the clues to be changed by
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taking on the views, beliefs, and mission of the Master And to, with other Christians, dispose of the imposters while helping each other to see and serve the real Jesus.

And this morning we have some very important clues. Clues from scripture that reveal some more of what the path looks like and what Jesus expects from us. A lesson in what not to do. Jesus tells us three important things this morning.

Rarely, is Jesus so clear. Three times today, Jesus tells us what we CANNOT do if we want to be disciples. Its a little obscured in the English its tucked away, almost hidden in the translationbut in the Greek its hard to miss. Jesus uses the same formula three times If you do not do _______________, [then surely you are not able to be my disciple.]

First we are told that God must come first our following Christ must come first EVEN BEFORE those we love. Before our parents, children, family, friends. Always, Christ is at the head of the Body. Always Christ first. But the word hate is hard to get past, isnt it? The good news is that the Greek here is a little ambiguous.

It could be hate. It could also be words like disfavor or disregard. Its also possible that this refers to a Semitic expression, ancient hyperbole- not to be taken literally but to remind us of our priorities. Of what must be most important. Most scholars believe the word to be closer to this idea than hate (especially as we understand the word today) thus requiring us to prioritize to order our lives and our allegiances correctly

God gives us relationships with each other - so that we might delight in each other. So that in loving each other we can participate in Gods love. But in all of these cases, our delight in God is meant to overflow more than the rest so that our relationships with each other are nourished and inspired by our relationship with God. You cannot be a disciple of Jesus Christ if Christ is not foremost in your heart.

For a second time Christ insists not on what is in our hearts but on the importance of what we do. The cost of discipleship. Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. There is a cost to living this way a concrete, visible cost. Picking up our various crosses may look differentbut we know its a cross by its effects.

By the sacrifices required. By the transformation that takes place. By the death of sin, of wickednessby the raising up of Gods love.

Following around ones own version of Jesus instead of seeking after relationship with the real Jesus will not suffice. If your image of Jesus doesnt require anything more of you then hes probably not the right one. Jesus tells the crowd in Jerusalem today and us that to be a disciple comes with expectations. And finally if you do not give up all your possessions, then surely you cannot be my disciple. For many of us, that would be a high price. It reminds us of folks who have paid this price and found themselves more free and closer to God. Im thinking specifically of St. Franciswho lived a life of poverty but a life filled with the presence of Christ. Jesus calls us this morning to a radically free completely changed way of living. This text begs us to realize that to really follow Jesus is an all or nothing search after the Christ. You cannot be half in you cannot be a disciple if youre only willing to put your feet in the water. Instead we must be baptized. Wholly changed.

And once changed, we do not have the luxury of putting Jesus off til tomorrow or of feeling like weve already done our part. We are to come back to this table regularlyto participate in the life of the Church and the work of God. In or out all or nothing. Dont settle for someone elses version of Christ dont settle for your own version Follow him and find him. And along the way youll find yourself free unburdened transformed. Take up your cross and follow him- to be a disciple; to be a Christian, is to live life following the real Christ the one made known to us in scripture, tradition, and the breaking of bread. To be a disciple is to know the difference, to take up your cross, and to help others do the same. Amen.